We are often asked if it’s better to use a solid-state power amp with our preamps (which are tubed). The answer: it’s not necessarily better, but you might prefer using a solid-state power amp for any of several reasons.
This post will attempt to describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a solid-state power amp with a tubed preamp.
Benefits of Solid-State Power Amp
Reliability. First, a solid-state power amp is usually worry-free. You don’t need to think about maintenance, as you often do with a tubed power amp. Another way to say this is that solid-state power amps are more reliable.
Leave It On. Second, you can leave a solid-state power amp on 24 hours a day, if you want to. This means that your power amp will always be warmed up and ready to go whenever you want to listen to music. With a tubed power amp you probably shouldn’t do this, because you will wear out the power tubes much more quickly. Further, it’s not wise to leave tube power amps on without being in the room (or generally nearby) because on rare occasions they can malfunction in a way that creates smoke, or even worse.
Cost. Tubed power amps require you to buy new power tubes every few years or so. This can be expensive. And more serious / addicted music lovers may want to replace all of the tubes to improve sound quality, which gets even more expensive. With a solid-state power amp, nothing like this is necessary, or even possible.
Sound Quality. (However, this advantage has a flip-side, discussed below under Disadvantages.) A solid-state power amp can do things that many tubed power amps have difficulty doing. The commonly talked-about things in this category: solid-state power amps may “go deeper” in the bass. They may give a more airy presentation. They may “go higher” in the treble. And they can provide more accurate timing or “toe-tapping factor”. Many listeners also report that solid-state amps are “faster” or more nimble in the way they reproduce bass.
Appearance. (This also has a flip-side, discussed below.) A solid-state power amp can be fairly subtle. It can be a “hidden” piece of audio gear. On the other hand a tubed power amp often has tubes visible, creating a look that some listeners (or their spouses) may find distracting or undesirable.
Heat. Solid-state power amps may get warm, but not enough to heat up the whole room. An exception to this is Class A solid-state amps, which can get downright hot. However, tube amps can also get very hot, and especially with monoblock versions can tend to heat up your whole listening room to some extent, which can pose problems in summertime.
Time. Many audiophiles believe that solid-state power amps can sound nearly their best after being turned on for a relatively short period of time (10 minutes?). On the other hand, many believe that a tubed power amp needs to be on for at least 30 minutes before it sounds its best. Some believe that even longer is necessary. However, this factor has a flip-side, discussed below.
If you want to review even more disadvantages of a tube power amp, you can read this blog post.
Disadvantages of Solid-State Power Amp
Sound quality. A solid-state power amp usually will not provide the same kind of holographic sound that a tube power amp provides.
Another way to say this: tubed power amps often sound more layered in the midrange. Or if ‘layered’ is not a helpful term: tubed power amps just have better midrange. Which is where most of your music lives. Midrange is very, very important, and it’s why many listeners prefer tubed power amps despite the long list of advantages that solid-state designs have (described above).
We find that only the more expensive solid state power amps approach the high quality midrange of a tubed power amp. In general, in the reasonable / affordable price ranges, you can expect a tube power amp to provide more satisfying midrange, but as mentioned above, solid-state power amps often win in other sonic departments.
Appearance. Some listeners may find the appearance of tubes interesting, attractive, or just cool. Solid state power amps usually don’t have as much visual personality as a tubed power amp.
Time. We have found that for some solid-state power amps, they need to be turned on for many hours before they sound their best. Depending on the size of the capacitors in your solid-state power amp (larger caps = longer time), you might find that the best sound is not achieved for half a day, or even 24 hours.
We hope you found this helpful. If you have questions, you can always contact us at:
